Rating: 
Summary: Good Overview, but technicallY WRONG!
Review: I was able to read this book from end-to-end, but it was annoying. The author provides lots of interesting data and mentions most new telecommunications products. HOWEVER, whenever she attempts any kind of technical explanation or conclusion she tends to be WRONG. If all the technical explanations and conclusions were removed, this would be a better book. As it is, I rate it one-star because I kept getting angry at the WRONGNESS of the technical explanations and conclusions.
Rating: 
Summary: Ideal for Emerging Markets
Review: I was searching for a book where I can get an overview of Modern Telecom System fundamentals, without the technical jargon. Annabel's book gave just that to me. I am not a telecom professional but with basic knowledge of Electronics and Commonsense understanding of the Telphone networks, this book was an absolute pleasure to read. Now I am ready to absorb more technical books in Telecom Networks and Bandwidth.The Chapters on Fundamentals are very clear and non technical. The indusry review in Part Two is very useful to understand the Telecomm network operation in a competitive environment. This is the reason why I found it useful for Emerging Markets, where Competition in Telecom is just being allowed by the respective Governements. This Part of the book gives an idea how Companies Co operate and at the same time Compete with each other! This part also introduces the reader to the power of Telecom Services, in that it clearly tells the reader the variety of application of digital communication. Part Three is an excellent primer about the network services available. The chapter on Internet is just right. The chapter on Wireless service will encourage a business manager to think of hybrid networks! I would rate this a Five Star Book for a Non technical person for a quick initiation into the world of Modern Telecom. A MUST READ BOOK FOR ANYONE ENTERING TELECOM INDUSTRY
Rating: 
Summary: The best intro book around.
Review: I just started my new job with Nortel about a month ago. I came with PC and Server knowledge - minimal telecom knowledge - just some basic facts like a T1 is 1.544Mbps with 24 channels...stuff like that. I needed to get up to speed real quick, so I got this book, 'The Essential Guide To Telecommunications 2nd Ed.', Communications Systems & Networks (ISBN 0764575228) and Newton's Telecom Dictionary 16th Ed.(ISBN:1578200539). This book will be my intro book, the Communications Systems & Networks will by my intermediate/advanced book, and the Newton Telecom Dictionary for a reference. I am just about done with The Essential Guide To Telecommunications 2nd Ed. and let me tell you this book is awesome (make sure you have the 'Newton Dictionary' by your side so you can look up terms for a more in depth explanation - I bring it everywhere I go). It gives you a GREAT basic foundation of knowledge and gives some side notes that fill in the gaps. I gave it 4 stars and not 5 because I went to the publishers website and was unable to find any eror list, (errata pages) for the book - for any books for that matter...and I doubt that the book is error free, could be but I doubt it. (Sybex's website does a good job of listing errors in their books - even if there are no errors reported, they state that so that you know they're checking) Anyway, the book is GREAT and I highly recommend it - along with the other two books I mentioned. The book does lack in depth details, but that's the point of an 'intro' book...right? Cheers.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Overview for consultant with no Telecom background
Review: I'm an IT consultant with a good understanding and background in network design, and needed to get a quick grounding in telecom for a project. After spending a day in the bookstore,( and actually buying and returning another title), I found this book and took it home. It was the perfect overview of the subject for me! I got a good understanding of the terminology and foundation concepts, and often go back to certain sections to reinforce my understanding. I gave it four stars rather than five because ot does have some flaws. As noted in some other reviews, the author glosses over key data communications topics like routing, bridging, VoIP. For those readers who need depth in these topics, there are better sources (Try titles by Radia Perlman or Uyless Black, for example). For readers who need a strong fundamental understanding of telecom technologies, regulations, and implementations, this is the best general primer out there.
Rating:
Summary: A must read book for anyone interested in Telecommunications
Review: This book covers all new telcom technology and explains it in a easy to read format. Helpful to beginners as well as new comers to the industry. My company paid several hundreds of dollars for us to attend a Telcom Fundamentals class. This book is a much better investment. Also recommended are the Newton Telecom Dictionary and the Irwin Handbook.
Rating:
Summary: The Essential Guide to Telecommunications
Review: This book is great for those people wanting to learn more about Telecommunications, but come into the process with very little prior knowledge. It provides a good overview of numerous topics. While, the book does not cover anything in great detail. Criticizing it for that reason misses the point. The book was not intended to be extremely technical, it is written for the non-technical reader, as well as the technical. I have referred it to others and have gotten great feedback from them. If you want a good overview of the entire Telecommunications environment, this book is excellent. It is a great starting point.
Rating:
Summary: Good telecom intro for novice
Review: Overall I think this book is a good introduction to the telecommunications industry for the non-technical reader. The scope is broad and the language plain, though it lacks some depth on certain subjects. I wonder how it compares to Roger Freeman's "Fundamentals of Telecommunications". Thoughts anyone?
Rating:
Summary: More like the BARE essential...
Review: Remember in grammar school when you had to write a long book report and you did everything you could to cut corners? Well, bingo, that's what this book is all about. For example, on page 29 she discusses (VERY mildly), Bridges. All she states is when they became available (1980s) and the advantages and disadvantages of them. The same sequence is repeated on the following page about Routers. It would have been wise and helpful to at LEAST state whether a Bridge or Router is a hardware or software or external or internal device! These shortcuts are repeated throughout the entire book. Save your money and just opt for a proper Telecom book that is offered through a college book store.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Book For Telecommunications
Review: This is the best book for the whole industry. I have been learning a lot from it and I just can't stop reading it. It is not like most of the telecommunication books which are nothing but boring. This book is very close to the Dummy's Series but more serious than that. I recommended the this book to all my new trainee. First Edition was good but the second edition is perfect.
Rating:
Summary: Expert or Novice
Review: This is an excellent text for individuals new to the telecommunications field. This is also a good reference document. The amount and degree of infomation covered in less than 400 pages is excellent. I will be recommending this book to all co-workers who express an interest in understanding the entire enviormnment from technology to policy.
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